Wikivoyage:Tourist office/Archives/2014/March

Teaching English abroad for newly qualified, non-native speakers
I have recently completed my CELTA certificate and would like to travel the world through teaching English. Having no official prior experience in teaching (besides the CELTA), and being only a near-native speaker of English, what are some places around the world which are worth seeking job opportunities in?

Thank you, F.L.


 * Have a look at Teaching English. Pashley (talk) 01:39, 3 March 2014 (UTC)


 * Also depends on your country of origin to an extent. I know in South Korea there is a big preference for American and Canadians, although they will consider British, Australian, New Zealand and South African as well (there are actually visa regulations behind this point). If you are near-native speaker and come from one of these countries then you have a chance but if not then it will be very hard. Andrewssi2 (talk) 03:41, 3 March 2014 (UTC)

The Trans-Siberian Railway
How do you plan a trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway? Do you need visas for all countries you're going to pass through? What is a trustworthy reference website for bookings?

Thank you, F.L.

We have an article Trans-Siberian Railway which should help. Pashley (talk) 01:42, 3 March 2014 (UTC)

Ukraine's situation and Slovakia
I am planning to go to Bratislava, Slovakia, in early July. But after reading about the recent developments in Ukraine, I remembered that Slovakia and Ukraine are neighbouring countries, although Bratislava is at the opposite end of Slovakia from the border to Ukraine. Will there be any chance of the situation in Ukraine spreading over to Slovakia? Currently I think I'll be safe, but I'd like to know for sure.

Asked by: JIP (talk) 18:24, 4 March 2014 (UTC)
 * And fortunately the Ukrainian situation is currently happening at the opposite end of Ukraine. In the highly unlikely event that something happens that has visible effects in Bratislava - the capital of a NATO member country... you can probably guess that the eastern half of Europe isn't the place to be. :( ϒpsilon (talk) 18:40, 4 March 2014 (UTC)
 * First of all, let me just say that we don't have a crystal ball, and nobody knows what the situation in Ukraine or Slovakia will be next week, let alone in July. I can't tell you whether or not it's a good idea to go, but if I had a trip planned to Slovakia right now, I don't think I would be worried right now. There are a couple of things to think about. The first scenario, that Russia continues west and directly invades Slovakia, seems to be incredibly unlikely, as Slovakia is both EU and NATO, and messing with Slovakia would bring the combined forces of the West down on Russia. I would not worry about that at all, unless a full-out war somehow breaks out over the situation in Ukraine, which I don't think will happen. The second possibility, which is more likely (although, at this point, not really something I expect), is that Slovakia has to deal with a refugee situation, or other uncontained problems spilling over the border. If that were to happen, who knows how much that would affect you travelling there, if at all. Check out this article. I would just keep an eye on things, and if it looks like in a few months Slovakia is having issues stemming from this, you'll have to decide whether you are willing to deal with the situation, and what risks are involved. So to answer your question, yes there is a chance of the situation "spreading over to Slovakia", but I don't expect it to. There's no way that you can possibly "know for sure" until the time comes. Just be smart about it, and follow the news. Falconus p t   c 06:00, 6 March 2014 (UTC)

How to pass the time in Dubai Int Airport
In mid May, I have a 12 hour lay over in Dubai Airport. Has anybody any suggestions has to how to pass the time, rather than sitting around waiting for my connecting flight? Thanks!

Asked by: TrogWoolley (talk) 19:12, 8 March 2014 (UTC)


 * Hi! User:Saqib might have some recommendations. In the meantime you can check out our Dubai International Airport article (which admittedly isn't the most comprehensive of our airport articles) as well as the airport's web page. ϒpsilon (talk) 19:32, 8 March 2014 (UTC)


 * There'd probably be a cost for the visa and certainly one for transport, but it is worth considering going into downtown Dubai, perhaps spending a few hours in one of the suqs (markets). If you plan to buy things, you might even save money overall since airport restaurants and shops tend to be expensive. Pashley (talk) 20:45, 8 March 2014 (UTC)
 * Only 12 hour is really a very short time to explore and enjoy Dubai but I must say don't miss the opportunity to see the tallest and majestic structure of the Burj Khalifa. You should try to visit the world largest shopping mall, the Dubai Mall, or a dazzling souk (souk is traditional Arabic market), the Gold Souk in bustling district of Deira, a stroll is recomended. You can learn the history of the Emirates in Dubai Museum or if you're looking for some adventure, try skiing at the Mall of the Emirates. There's a lot more, but unfortunately you won't be have enough time. --Saqib (talk) 22:54, 8 March 2014 (UTC)
 * What about in the airport itself? -- AndreCarrotflower (talk) 01:40, 9 March 2014 (UTC)
 * Airport itself? We've had some 6-7 hours long breaks in Dubai on two occasions and they were the longest hours in my life. We considered to go to the city, but the Emirates require visa for citizens of my country (this has changed since, I wouldn't need one now), which I could have obtained at the airport, but connected to 1 night hotel reservation only, so it would be lots of costs for a couple of hours of fun. We could not find anything interesting to do at the airport except of strolling around the shops and having a couple of teas, and being exhausted after several days of Japan exploration and a long flight before, we just found a quiet corner and suffered through. Which is not what I would recommend to you. 12 hours is definitely worth trying to escape from the airport. Danapit (talk) 08:03, 9 March 2014 (UTC)
 * If you're flying with Emirates, you can enjoy a delicious free buffet as well get vouchers to avail free food from many different restaurants inside the terminal. There're few massage parlours and spas inside the terminal building where you can spend some good time at affordable prices. I don't remember the name of those so one will have to ask for them. Also, there's a pool and gym inside Dubai International Hotel for non-staying guests and charges affordable prices. Dubai Duty Free shopping mall is also definitely worth to explore. --Saqib (talk) 09:51, 10 March 2014 (UTC)
 * Thankyou for all the suggestions. --TrogWoolley (talk) 14:48, 10 March 2014 (UTC)

Unexplored area
Asked by: 117.194.251.172 16:43, 12 March 2014 (UTC) Is there any place on earth surface that is still unexplored or recently explored or visited by very few people <10.117.194.251.172 16:43, 12 March 2014 (UTC)


 * One possibility is to go far north or south; Antarctica has been mostly explored but it sure isn't much populated, there are Canadian areas like Ellesmere Island that are also empty and probably similar areas in Alaska or Russia. Another is to look for remote jungle areas like Highlands (Papua New Guinea) or the Amazon regions in South America; those are populated but many tribes have little contact with the outside. Pashley (talk) 17:31, 12 March 2014 (UTC)

Which city is this?
Please help me to find the name of the city where this pictures was taken:


 * http://i1.sndcdn.com/artworks-000039560498-f0usla-original.png?435a760
 * http://de.wallpapersus.com/wallpapers/2012/08/City-Night-1800x2880.jpg

My first idea was New York city, as one building has strong resemblance with the chrysler building. And the other building with the long antenna could be the ne World One Trade building. However, all other buildings doesn't seem like NYC. Also I didn't know any place where a.) water is in the front b.) first comes the Chrysler building c.) behind that the World One Trade building stands.

Has anybody an idea? Asked by: 193.47.149.78 10:14, 21 March 2014 (UTC)


 * I'd say it's UN Building and Chrysler Building with Bank of America Tower in the distance. Jjtkk (talk) 10:52, 21 March 2014 (UTC)

Yes, I think you're right. All buildings makes sense. Thank you very much. --193.47.149.78 11:13, 21 March 2014 (UTC)


 * Definitely the Chrysler Building in New York, and the ray of light looks like it would have come from the former location of the World Trade Center. They shine that light every year at September 11. Like you, I'm not sure all the buildings in the picture are in Manhattan, and the photo has clearly been Photoshopped or otherwise subjected to manipulation. Ikan Kekek (talk) 18:28, 21 March 2014 (UTC)

First, it's the right-hand half of the night photo that's the real picture, and the left-hand half that's a Photoshopped or otherwise artificially made reflection. The picture is taken from the east shore of the East River, in Queens between 49th and 50th Avs., looking across the river into Manhattan and along 42nd St. As stated, the United National building is in the foreground, the prominent tower is the Chrysler Building, and the brightly lit one near it is the Bank of America Tower. Here's a daytime shot from Google Street View imagery showing most of the same buildings (but unfortunately taken from the street rather than the riverbank in front). The only obvious difference is the building directly in front of the Chrysler Building, which was presumably constructed or demolished between the dates of the two photos. A less obvious difference is a vertical construction in front of the UN building in the night photo, which I guess was some sort of temporary scaffolding used for maintenance or inspection in preference to the more common technique of hanging a platform from cables. As for the searchlight, it's common enough for those to be used for promotional purposes, so there's no reason to believe it's the one from the WTC site. In fact I don't think it can be, as the one at the WTC site shines directly upwards, if I remember correctly. --50.100.193.30 01:40, 22 March 2014 (UTC)
 * The one spotlight at the WTC site? That should be the two, as they're intended to stand in for the twin towers which were hit by aircraft. K7L (talk)
 * Yes, I should have said "ones". --50.100.193.30 19:43, 22 March 2014 (UTC)


 * If it's Manhattan, it isn't one photo someone has taken but a collection of pictures. This is how it looks from the East River. WTC is in the southern part of Manhattan and in the picture behind the link it's standing approximately where Rockefeller Center is located. ϒpsilon (talk) 12:00, 22 March 2014 (UTC)
 * Please read my first response (starting with "First, it's") and follow the photo link. The night photo is not a "collection" but is one picture together with its reflection. The WTC site is not in it. The photo Ypsilon cites is a similar view but is taken from a position some blocks farther south so it is not looking directly along 42nd Street. --50.100.193.30 19:43, 22 March 2014 (UTC)


 * Yes, I can see it's a reflection, but I wondered what the building further back was. It reminded me a lot of the new World Trade Center. After playing around with Google Earth I've learned it is called the Bank of America Tower. ϒpsilon (talk) 20:08, 22 March 2014 (UTC)
 * Which is exactly what Jjtkk said it was above. Powers (talk) 15:33, 23 March 2014 (UTC)

Exploring latin America?
Sometime in the forseeable future, I am interested in retiring abroad, perhaps in South America. I think I'd prefer a Spanish-speaking country to Brazil because learning Spanish would make it easier to travel around from a South American base. Anywhere I pick needs to be fairly cheap. I'm also concerned about safety, which I think rules out some places.

I'm an experienced traveller, including some "third world" places, but I have never been to this region and have no Spanish. I'm likely to go for a few months next winter, basically to look around some and learn a bit of Spanish. Has anyone got suggestions on where to go or cheap ways to get there from North America? Ecuador is top of my current list of possible retirement spots based on what I have read so far, so I'm thinking Peru/Ecuador/Bolivia for first trip, but I'm open to advice.

Asked by: 99.240.65.32 18:28, 16 March 2014 (UTC)
 * You don't say what country you are from. If you're from a developed country and would prefer somewhere similar for safety and health reasons then Argentina, Uruguay and Chile are certainly the most developed and lifestyles are closer to North America, Europe, the Far East and Australasia.  Hopefully others can chip in with their advice especially anything specific to Ecuador.--Xania (talk) 00:17, 18 March 2014 (UTC)


 * I am from a developed country, but similar is not an issue. I've been to Egypt, Turkey, India, Indonesia, prewar Afghanistan, the Philippines, ... and (mostly) liked those. Cheap is an issue and so is safety, but my main concern there is to avoid really dangerous areas. 99.240.65.32 03:08, 18 March 2014 (UTC)


 * Never been to that part of the world, so I can just give you some general advice derived from WV articles, news and blog posts/similar stories from folks traveling in Latin America or moving there permanently. Most of Central America, Colombia, Venezuela and parts of Brazil have a high street crime and homicide rate. Tropical diseases will likely be an issue for long term stays. And the bureaucracy and other things don't work there as swiftly as a gringo would expect them to. It's cheap to live there if you have an income from a first world country and don't need specially imported North American/European goods every day. And the weather is warm and there are relatively few natural disasters. ϒpsilon (talk) 19:49, 19 March 2014 (UTC)


 * Reading some more, Sucre has replaced Cuenca at the top of my list, mainly because Bolivia is cheaper than Ecuador. I'm still open to suggestions & advice, though. 99.240.65.32 22:54, 30 March 2014 (UTC)

London neighborhood question
Hi there. I'm debating between accommodation in the London neighborhoods of Wood Green (near Alexandra Park) or Haggerston (halfway between Haggerston and Dalston Junction Tube stops). What are the pros and cons of both areas? Thank you!

Asked by: 128.110.83.108 02:35, 19 March 2014 (UTC)


 * Hi! Sorry it's taken so long to get a response to you. The benefits of those two locations probably depend (at least partially) on your reasons for visiting. If you're in London for sightseeing purposes, the slightly more central position of Haggerston (and its proximity to Tube stations) may be of great advantage. Both areas have a thriving arts scene and, of course, if you're in London for business, you may want to be closer to whomever your visiting. If you could give a little more detail, it may be easier to give you a fuller answer. Either way, I'd recommend taking a look at our guide to London - I hope it helps!
 * Happy travels! :) --Nick talk 19:33, 25 March 2014 (UTC)

Wikipedia gives the registration of the missing Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 ; 9M-MRO.
Would you please check the registration number/letters for the missing Boeing 777. Wikipedia states 9M-MRO. I can only find 9M-MRQ in the current list of Malaysian Boeing 777-200ER types. Thank you.

Asked by: 66.181.214.220 02:43, 30 March 2014 (UTC)


 * This is not the website you are looking for. We only deal with traveler topics, not the technical specifications or identifications of aircraft. Andrewssi2 (talk) 04:37, 30 March 2014 (UTC)

I'm inclined to believe Wikipedia on this one. K7L (talk) 04:39, 30 March 2014 (UTC)
 * http://flightaware.com/live/flight/9MMRQ is still flying a regular schedule between Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo
 * http://flightaware.com/live/flight/9MMRO is missing en route to Beijing.